$10 dwarf olive nursery stock and my first styling

[_space_bard_]

Ace had 50% off their plants and I picked this little dwarf olive up for $10. He was growing at a pretty extreme angle so instead of fighting the angle I just went with the cascade style (or rather my attempt at it lol).

I root pruned about 60% of the ball, and pruned back about 40-50% of the branches. I wasn't planning on wiring it today but I figured what the hell might as well. Planted him in that weird terracotta training pot I got at a Thrift store for half a dollar. It says Japan on the bottom so that means it has +10 to survival right?

I used a 50/50 DE and 1/4" lava rock mix for the soil. Hopefully it does well in the desert.

I plan on pruning a few more branches next year, but I figured I might as well get the branches growing how I want now before deciding what else needs to go.

Critique and suggestions are welcome. Especially since this is my first attempt.

Edit: Having issues uploading photos I'll most more when it's working

 

[_space_bard_]

https://imgur.com/ZaxE4lu

https://imgur.com/yn2slMH

 

[_space_bard_]

Looking at it now, I'm thinking I should remove both 1 and 2, or leave one and turn it into a vertical pad. Any suggestions?

 

[Cypress187]

Yeah, those 3 branches are very close together and could cause swelling (reversed taper). Maybe wait until next year.
Btw, did you "prune" that branch with your bare hands? Doesn't look very flush against the trunk.

 

[_space_bard_]

Yeah, those 3 branches are very close together and could cause swelling (reversed taper). Maybe wait until next year.
Btw, did you "prune" that branch with your bare hands? Doesn't look very flush against the trunk.

Half the branch is deadwood, thought I could keep the deadwood there and let the rest die back.